HUNTING Gf SHOOTING IN CEYLON 



a fine buffalo came out on to the rock near him, and just 

 opposite me, but we scared it away, not wishing to shoot. 

 At about 5 P.M. a bear came out at the ruined dagoba end 

 of the rock, which was the furthest point from either stage, 

 being some 40 yards from mine, and fully 60 yards from 

 Tom's. As it seemed undecided whether to come to water 

 or not, and wandered about in an aimless sort of way, I fired 

 at it but missed it clean, both barrels, to my great disgust, 

 and away it bolted with little yells and grunts of alarm. 



A little while after this, and just before dusk, I put on 

 my night-sight, when, happening to glance over my shoulder 

 towards Tom, I saw that he and his men were staring in- 

 tently past me towards the dagoba end of the rock, so, 

 guessing something was coming, I held myself ready. 



In a few moments a bear appeared, came towards the 

 water, but at about 20 yards from it sat down on its 

 haunches like a dog, sniffed the air for a bit, and then got 

 up, turning as though to depart. 



I fired at once, but it bolted out of my sight without 

 uttering a sound, though I felt sure I had hit it and called 

 out to that effect to Tom, who cheered me by saying, " It's 

 all right ; it is down." I scrambled down from my stage, 

 with two of my men, and cautiously made my way towards 

 the bear, which was lying on the slope of the ruined dagoba, 

 trying its condition as I came near by heaving a few rocks 

 at it, but it was as dead as a door-nail, so we tailed on and 

 dragged it over towards my tree, depositing it in a hollow. 

 The bullet had entered the stomach far back, raked through 

 the chest, and lodged, as we afterwards found, in the throat, 

 so no wonder it was voiceless. I asked Tom to join me on 

 my stage now, as it was evidently the " gamey " one, but he 

 preferred to stay where he was. We had a bit of a wait 

 after this, and then a leopard came along, an account of 



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